PSAPlaybook
← Flag Football Foundations, grades 3-5

Lesson 4 · Week 2 · Grades 3-5 · 40 min

Catch on the Move

Hands, eyes and catching while running

First draft. Every part of this lesson is written as a starting point and will be reviewed with a certified PE teacher before the pilot.
Prep: about 10 min, including a 3-min prep clip

Cue words

Three words the class hears all lesson. They appear huge on the gym screen.

DiamondThumbs and fingers make a diamond for balls above the chest.
EyesWatch the ball all the way into your hands.
TuckPull the ball in high and tight right after the catch.

Lesson flow

Warm-up5 min
Watch2 min
Try10 min
Play15 min
Huddle5 min

Gold parts play video. 37 minutes of teaching plus time for transitions.

Warm-up5 min

Play-along: quick feet, backpedal, and 'catch and tuck' motions with Coach Cam.

On screen: video
Watch2 min

Coach Cam shows diamond hands, watching the ball in, and tucking right away.

On screen: video
Try10 min

Standing catches (3 min), then catching while jogging across the passer (7 min).

On screen: cue words and timer
Play15 min

Catch and Go: receivers run, catch on the move, tuck, and race past one flag puller to the end line.

On screen: game diagram and timer
Huddle5 min

Question 1: 'Show me diamond hands.' Question 2: 'What do you do right after you catch?' Shout-out a great tuck. Cool-down.

On screen: huddle questions
Setup

Partners 5 steps apart. For the game, mark a start cone, a catch zone and an end line with one flag puller between.

Equipment
  • 2 flags per student: flag belts, or scarves, pinnies or bandanas tucked into the waistband
  • 1 soft ball per 2 students (foam football, playground ball or any soft ball)
  • 4 cones or tape marks for the boundary
Safety
  • Hands touch flags only. No grabbing shirts, arms or other players.
  • No diving and no sliding.
  • Everyone freezes on the whistle.
Every student included
  • Students using wheelchairs wear flags on the armrests or shoulders. Others approach from the side, never from behind the chair.
  • Pair a student who needs support with a peer buddy who moves alongside.
  • Use a raised hand as well as the whistle for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Offer a quieter corner zone with 3 or 4 players for students who find crowds overwhelming.
Make it easier
  • Softer, bigger ball
  • Receiver runs slowly
  • Remove the flag puller
Make it harder
  • Catch over the shoulder
  • Two flag pullers
  • Longer throws

South Carolina standards

Indicator codes are added once checked against the 2021 South Carolina standards document.

  • Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.
  • Standard 2: Demonstrates knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance.

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